10 From 10: We Like Ike

There were many events that defined the San Jose Earthquakes run to
the Eastern Conference Championship. Each day we will reveal the latest
in our countdown of the 10 most memorable moments from 2010. Stay tuned!

Avatar. That's what they call Ike Opara around the locker room.

Nobody knows exactly how the nickname came about. Some say it's because of his supernatural athletic gifts. Others think it's because of his Avatar-like mannerisms.

Alien qualities or not, the kid can play.

If not for a season-ending injury against Seattle Sounders FC on July 31, the Wake Forest product was a frontrunner for MLS Rookie of the Year. Opara was San Jose's second-leading scorer with three goals despite playing in only 11 games - not a bad count for a center back. Adding to Opara's accomplishments was a spot on MLSSoccer.com's 24-Under-24.